Faking the Grade: FBI now investigating D.C.'s Ballou High School

The ABC7 I-Team learned an FBI Special Agent is meeting and interviewing current and former teachers of Ballou High School. (ABC7)

WASHINGTON (ABC7) —

The Federal Bureau of Investigation is now investigating alleged grade inflation at one DC high school, multiple sources close to the investigation revealed to the ABC7 I-Team.

The I-Team learned an FBI special agent is meeting and interviewing current and former teachers of Ballou High School. The FBI is joined in these meetings with investigators from the US Department of Education and the DC Office of Inspector General. Sources tell the I-Team these teacher interviews began in December.

Sources add the topics of the investigation include allegations that teachers were pressured to change grades to pass students, allegations that administrators altered grades or attendance records, and whether students receiving special federal funding had grades or attendance records altered.

The I-Team has not heard of any other DC Public Schools involved in the FBI investigation. The FBI and DCPS declined to comment.

DC Public Schools also confirmed that Ballou High assistant principal Shamele Straughter is on administrative leave and is no longer reporting to work at the high school.

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For more on Ballou High School and our entire Faking the Grade investigation, click here.